BY BONITA • AUGUST 29, 2018

More than 30 years ago, Rakim raised the bar of rapping. The Long Island, New Yorker is regularly associated with his consciousness. Although Ra’ may not be remembered for his politics to the degree of peers such as Chuck D or KRS-One, he has been a steadfast symbol of self-empowerment. Over the years, Rakim released songs such as the Easy Mo Bee-produced “Shades Of Black” on The Black Panthers’ Pump Ya Fist project.

Far more recently, he joined the Marvel family by penning a new, original track for the Netflix series Luke Cage. Unsurprisingly, he used the opportunity to namedrop individuals who’ve played an integral role in manifesting Black excellence such as Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Marcus Garvey, Lena Horne, Joe Louis and others. Additionally, Ra’s faith drives much of is ideological approach to life. As a member of The Nation of Gods and Earth, Rakim preaches self-awareness, pursuit of knowledge, cultivation of equality and more.

Rakim sat down with prolific Hip-Hop radio personalities Stretch & Bobbito for the latest installment of the duo’s “What’s Good” program on NPR. Much of the interview, of course, has to do with Rakim’s musical legacy but due to the rapper’s proclivity for cultural and political content, he was asked to touch on some current topics.

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